Channeled lift pin

ABSTRACT

A reactor system may comprise a reaction chamber enclosed by a chamber sidewall, and a susceptor disposed in the reaction chamber between a reaction space and a lower chamber space comprised in the reaction chamber. The susceptor may comprise a pin hole disposed through the susceptor such that the pin hole is in fluid communication with the reaction space and the lower chamber space, and such that the reaction space is in fluid communication with the lower chamber space. A lift pin may be disposed in the pin hole. The lift pin may comprise a pin body comprising a pin channel, defined by a pin channel surface, disposed in the pin body such that the reaction space is in fluid communication with the lower chamber space when the lift pin is disposed in the pin hole.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Non-provisional of, and claims priority to and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/957,516, filed Jan. 6, 2020 and entitled “CHANNELED LIFT PIN,” which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to a semiconductor processing or reactor system, and particularly a semiconductor reactor system, and components comprised therein, which prevents material deposition on undesirable locations of, for example, the reactor system and/or a substrate.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Reaction chambers may be used for depositing various material layers onto semiconductor substrates. A semiconductor may be placed on a susceptor inside a reaction chamber. Both the substrate and the susceptor may be heated to a desired substrate temperature set point. In an example substrate treatment process, one or more reactant gases may be passed over a heated substrate, causing the deposition of a thin film of material on the substrate surface. Throughout subsequent deposition, doping, lithography, etch, and other processes, these layers are made into integrated circuits.

Reaction chambers are generally manufactured with a single chamber or a dual chamber. In a dual chamber arrangement, the two chambers may be oriented with one chamber vertically above the second chamber, which may be separated, for example by the susceptor. During operation of the reactor system comprising dual chambers, undesirable contaminants may accumulate on and/or coat an underside of the substrate (i.e., the surface of the substrate proximate the susceptor), and/or material may accumulate on a substrate edge, because the substrate may bow during the deposition process. Apparatus and methods are therefore desirable for preventing deposition on an underside of a substrate, and undesired material accumulation on substrate edges.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form. These concepts are described in further detail in the detailed description of example embodiments of the disclosure below. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In some embodiments, a reactor system is provided. The reactor system disclosed herein may allow seating and/or flattening of a substrate on a susceptor to reduce or prevent unwanted material deposition and/or deposition patterns on the substrate.

In various embodiments, a reactor system may comprise a reaction chamber enclosed by a chamber sidewall, and a susceptor disposed in the reaction chamber between a reaction space and a lower chamber space comprised in the reaction chamber. The susceptor may comprise a pin hole disposed through the susceptor such that the pin hole is in fluid communication with the reaction space and the lower chamber space, and such that the reaction space is in fluid communication with the lower chamber space. A lift pin may be disposed in the pin hole. The lift pin may comprise a pin body comprising a pin channel, defined by a pin channel surface, disposed in the pin body such that the reaction space is in fluid communication with the lower chamber space when the lift pin is disposed in the pin hole. The pin channel may be disposed along a length of the pin body. In various embodiments, the pin channel may span linearly and parallel to an axis on which the pin body spans.

In various embodiments, the lift pin may be disposed such that a pin outer surface of the pin body is disposed adjacent to a pin hole surface defining the pin hole. In various embodiments, the pin outer surface may define a cross-sectional shape comprising a geometric shape with a portion missing, wherein the pin channel is the portion missing. In various embodiments, the pin body may comprise a cylindrical shape with a cutout comprising the pin channel, wherein the pin body further comprises a circular cross section with the cutout comprising the pin channel, wherein the pin channel comprises a pie-slice-shape channel in the circular cross section of the pin body. In various embodiments, the pin channel may be disposed within the pin body such that the pin channel surface forms an enclosed shape. In various embodiments, the lift pin may comprise a pin head at a top end of the pin body, wherein the pin channel may extend through the pin head. The pin head may be disposed at least partially in the pin hole of the susceptor. The pin head may form at least a partial seal with the susceptor. In various embodiments, the lift pin may comprise a top end of the pin body, wherein the lift pin and the susceptor may be configured to move relative to one another such that the top end of the lift pin body may be able to protrude from a substrate support surface of the susceptor.

In various embodiments, the reactor system may further comprise a vacuum source in fluid communication with the lower chamber space, wherein the vacuum source may be in fluid communication with the reaction space of the reaction chamber through the pin channel of the lift pin. In various embodiments, the chamber sidewall may be disposed proximate a susceptor outer side surface of the susceptor. In various embodiments, the reactor system may further comprise a space disposed between the chamber sidewall and the susceptor outer side surface such that the reaction space and the lower chamber space of the reaction chamber may be in fluid communication via the space. In various embodiments, fluid flow may be restricted between the chamber sidewall and the susceptor outer side surface.

In various embodiments, a method may comprise creating a pressure differential in a reaction chamber of a reactor between a reaction space of the reaction chamber and a lower chamber space of the reaction chamber, wherein the reaction space and the lower chamber space are separated by a susceptor disposed in the reaction chamber, wherein the forming the pressure differential causes a lower chamber space pressure to be lower than a reaction space pressure; and/or flowing a fluid to the lower chamber space through a pin hole disposed in the susceptor and spanning between the reaction space and the lower chamber space in response to the creating the pressure differential. A lift pin may be disposed in the pin hole. The lift pin may comprise a pin body, wherein the pin body may comprise a pin channel disposed in the pin body such that the reaction space is in fluid communication with the lower chamber space via the pin channel when the lift pin is disposed in the pin hole.

In various embodiments, a substrate may be disposed on a substrate support surface of the susceptor, wherein the substrate support surface is facing the reaction space, and wherein the pin hole is disposed through the substrate support surface. The method may further comprise creating a suction force on the substrate toward the substrate support surface in response to the creating the pressure differential and flowing the fluid to the lower chamber space through the pin hole; and/or seating the substrate flat on the susceptor support surface in response to the creating the suction force on the substrate. In various embodiments, the creating the pressure differential may be accomplished by a vacuum source fluidly coupled to the lower chamber space. In various embodiments, the pin channel may be disposed within and completely enclosed by the pin body. In various embodiments, the pin body may comprise a cross-sectional shape with a portion missing, wherein the pin channel may be the portion missing.

For the purpose of summarizing the disclosure and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the disclosure have been described herein above. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the disclosure. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments disclosed herein may be carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught or suggested herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. These and other embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of certain embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the disclosure not being limited to any particular embodiment(s) discussed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming what are regarded as embodiments of the disclosure, the advantages of embodiments of the disclosure may be more readily ascertained from the description of certain examples of the embodiments of the disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Elements with the like element numbering throughout the figures are intended to be the same.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary reactor system, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary reaction chamber with a susceptor disposed in a lower position, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of an exemplary reaction chamber with a susceptor disposed in a raised position, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a lift pin comprising a channel disposed in a susceptor, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top perspective view of a channeled lift pin, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a channeled lift pin, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of a channeled lift pin, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates a back view of a channeled lift pin, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 8 illustrates a right side view of a channeled lift pin, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates a left side view of a channeled lift pin, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of a channeled lift pin, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 11 illustrates a bottom view of a channeled lift pin, in accordance with various embodiments; and

FIG. 12 illustrates a method for processing a substrate in a reactor system, in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although certain embodiments and examples are disclosed below, it will be understood by those in the art that the disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments and/or uses of the disclosure and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the disclosure should not be limited by the particular embodiments described herein.

The illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views of any particular material, apparatus, structure, or device, but are merely representations that are used to describe embodiments of the disclosure.

As used herein, the term “substrate” may refer to any underlying material or materials that may be used, or upon which, a device, a circuit, or a film may be formed.

As used herein, the term “atomic layer deposition” (ALD) may refer to a vapor deposition process in which deposition cycles, preferably a plurality of consecutive deposition cycles, are conducted in a process chamber. Typically, during each cycle the precursor is chemisorbed to a deposition surface (e.g., a substrate surface or a previously deposited underlying surface such as material from a previous ALD cycle), forming a monolayer or sub-monolayer that does not readily react with additional precursor (i.e., a self-limiting reaction). Thereafter, if necessary, a reactant (e.g., another precursor or reaction gas) may subsequently be introduced into the process chamber for use in converting the chemisorbed precursor to the desired material on the deposition surface. Typically, this reactant is capable of further reaction with the precursor. Further, purging steps may also be utilized during each cycle to remove excess precursor from the process chamber and/or remove excess reactant and/or reaction byproducts from the process chamber after conversion of the chemisorbed precursor. Further, the term “atomic layer deposition,” as used herein, is also meant to include processes designated by related terms such as, “chemical vapor atomic layer deposition”, “atomic layer epitaxy” (ALE), molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), gas source MBE, or organometallic MBE, and chemical beam epitaxy when performed with alternating pulses of precursor composition(s), reactive gas, and purge (e.g., inert carrier) gas.

As used herein, the term “chemical vapor deposition” (CVD) may refer to any process wherein a substrate is exposed to one or more volatile precursors, which react and/or decompose on a substrate surface to produce a desired deposition.

As used herein, the term “film” and “thin film” may refer to any continuous or non-continuous structures and material deposited by the methods disclosed herein. For example, “film” and “thin film” could include 2D materials, nanorods, nanotubes, or nanoparticles or even partial or full molecular layers or partial or full atomic layers or clusters of atoms and/or molecules. “Film” and “thin film” may comprise material or a layer with pinholes, but still be at least partially continuous.

As used herein, the term “contaminant” may refer to any unwanted material disposed within the reaction chamber that may affect the purity of a substrate disposed in the reaction chamber. The term “contaminant” may refer to, but is not limited to, unwanted deposits, metal and non-metal particles, impurities, and waste products, disposed within the reaction chamber.

Reactor systems used for ALD, CVD, and/or the like, may be used for a variety of applications, including depositing and etching materials on a substrate surface. In various embodiments, a reactor system 50 may comprise a reaction chamber 4, a susceptor 6 to hold a substrate 30 during processing, a fluid distribution system 8 (e.g., a showerhead) to distribute one or more reactants to a surface of substrate 30, one or more reactant sources 10, 12, and/or a carrier and/or purge gas source 14, fluidly coupled to reaction chamber 4 via lines 16-20 and valves or controllers 22-26. System 50 may also comprise a vacuum source 28 fluidly coupled to the reaction chamber 4.

Turning to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the embodiments of the disclosure may include reactor systems and methods that may be utilized for processing a substrate within a reactor 100. In various embodiments, a reactor 100 may comprise a reaction chamber 110 for processing substrates. In various embodiments, reaction chamber 110 may comprise a reaction space 112 (i.e., an upper chamber), which may be configured for processing one or more substrates, and/or a lower chamber space 114 (i.e., a lower chamber). Lower chamber space 114 may be configured for the loading and unloading of substrates from the reaction chamber, and/or for providing a pressure differential between lower chamber space 114 and reaction space 112.

In various embodiments, reaction space 112 and lower chamber space 114 may be separated by a susceptor 130 disposed in reaction chamber 110. In various embodiments, reaction space 112 and lower chamber space 114 may be substantially fluidly separate or isolated from one another. For example, a susceptor 130 may fluidly separate reaction space 112 and lower chamber space 114 by creating at least a partial seal (i.e., at least restricting fluid flow) between susceptor 130 and a chamber sidewall 111 of reaction chamber 110 disposed proximate a susceptor outer side surface 132 of susceptor 130. That is, space 108 between susceptor 130 and chamber sidewall 111 may be minimized or eliminated such that there is little or no fluid movement between susceptor 130 and chamber sidewall 111.

In various embodiments, to prevent or reduce fluid flow between susceptor 130 and chamber sidewall 111, one or more sealing members (e.g., sealing members 129) may extend from susceptor 130 (e.g., from susceptor outer side surface 132) and/or from chamber sidewall 111 of reaction chamber 110 to the other, creating at least a partial seal (i.e., restricting or preventing fluid flow) between susceptor 130 and chamber sidewall 111. The at least partial sealing of reaction space 112 from lower chamber space 114 may be desirable to prevent or reduce precursor gases, and/or other fluids, utilized in the processing of a substrate 150, from entering and/or contacting lower chamber space 114 of reaction chamber 110. For example, the precursor gases utilized for processing substrates in the reaction space may comprise, corrosive deposition precursors which may contact lower chamber space 114 producing unwanted deposits/contaminants/particles which may in turn be reintroduced into reaction space 112 thereby providing a source of contamination to a substrate disposed in the reaction space.

In various embodiments, although sealing members 129 extending between susceptor 130 and chamber sidewall 111 of reaction chamber 110, and/or the at least partial seal formed by direct contact between susceptor 130 and chamber sidewall 111 of reaction chamber 110, may restrict or substantially prevent fluid communication between reaction space 112 and lower chamber space 114 through space 108, it may still be possible for a small volume of precursor gases to enter lower chamber space 114 by diffusion, which may result in possible corrosion, unwanted deposition and contaminants, in the lower chamber of the reaction chamber of the reactor system.

In various embodiments, susceptor 130 may comprise one or more pin holes 137. Each pin hole 137 may span through susceptor 130 from a top surface of susceptor 130 (e.g., a substrate support surface 135 on which substrate 150 may be disposed for processing) to a bottom surface 136 of susceptor 130. The susceptor top surface (e.g., substrate support surface 135) may be the surface of susceptor 130 proximate reaction space 112 of reaction chamber 110. Susceptor bottom surface 136 may be the surface of susceptor 130 proximate lower chamber space 114 of reaction chamber 110. With no lift pin disposed in a pin hole 137, reaction space 112 and lower chamber space 114 may be in fluid communication with one another through pin hole 137. That is, pinhole(s) 137 may be in fluid communication with reaction space 112 and lower chamber space 114.

A lift pin 200 (or other like object) may be disposed in each pin hole 137. With additional reference to FIGS. 3-11, a lift pin 300 (an example of lift pin 200 depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B) may comprise a lift pin body 350, which is configured to span at least a portion of a pin hole 337 (an example of pin hole 137 in FIGS. 2A and 2B) when disposed in pin hole 337. Pin body 350 may comprise a cross-sectional shape (in a cross section taken perpendicular to length of pin body 350) that is complementary to a cross-sectional shape of pin hole 337. Pin body 350 may be defined by a pin outer surface 370. At least a portion of pin outer surface 370 is disposed adjacent to a pin hole surface 339 defining pin hole 337 when lift pin 300 is disposed in pin hole 337. In various embodiments, pin outer surface 370 may form at least a partial seal with pin hole surface 339 such that little or no fluid (e.g., a liquid or gas) may pass between pin outer surface 370 and the contacting pin hole surface 339.

In various embodiments, lift pin 300 may comprise a pin top end 310 opposite a pin bottom end 390, wherein pin body 350 (and a pin length) spans therebetween. Pin top end 310 of lift pin 300 may comprise a pin head 320. Pin head 320 may be any suitable shape in comparison to pin body 350. In various embodiments, pin head 320 may comprise a cross-sectional shape (in a cross section taken perpendicular to length of pin body 350) that is the same as a cross-sectional shape of pin body 350. In various embodiments, pin head 320 may comprise a cross-sectional shape (in a cross section taken perpendicular to length of pin body 350) that comprises a greater or lesser surface area that a cross-sectional shape of pin body 350.

In embodiments in which pin head 320 comprises a greater surface area than a cross-sectional shape of pin body 350, the pin hole 337 in which lift pin 300 is disposed may comprise a pin head hole 338 having a cross-sectional shape complementary to that of pin head 320. Pin head 320 may be defined by a pin head outer surface 322. Pin head outer surface 322 may be disposed adjacent to pin hole surface 339 defining pin head hole 338 when lift pin 300 is disposed in pin hole 337. In various embodiments, pin head outer surface 322 may form at least a partial seal with (i.e., restrict fluid flow between pin head 320 and) pin hole surface 339 of pin head hole 338, and/or an overhang 326 of pin head 320 may form at least a partial seal with a complementary portion of pin hole surface 339, such that little or no fluid (e.g., a liquid or gas) may pass between pin head 320 and pin head hole 338 of pin hole 337.

In various embodiments, lift pin 300 may comprise a pin top surface 315 of pin top end 310. Pin top surface 315 may be part of pin head 320. Pin top surface 315 may comprise any suitable shape. For example, pin top surface 315 may comprise a flat, concave, or convex surface. In various embodiments, pin top surface 315 may be configured to contact substrate 150 to move substrate 150 relative to susceptor 130. For example, lift pin(s) 300 may cause substrate 150 to move up or down relative to susceptor 130 (i.e., increase or decrease the space between substrate 150 and susceptor 130).

In various embodiments, lift pin 300 may comprise a pin recess 331 between the cross-sectional area change difference from pin head 320 and the rest of pin body 350. In various embodiments, there may be no space or recess between such dimensions.

As discussed, substrate 150 and susceptor 130 may be movable relative to one another. For example, in various embodiments, one or more lift pins 300 (or lift pins 200 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B) may be configured to allow substrate 150 to separate from susceptor 130, and to allow substrate 150 to be placed in contact with (i.e., to be supported by) susceptor 130. In various embodiments, susceptor 130 may move, for example via a susceptor elevator 104, up or down such that susceptor 130 moves relative to substrate 150. In various embodiments, lift pins 200 (or 300 of FIGS. 3-11) may move up or down, for example via lift pin elevators/platforms 202 such that substrate 150 moves relative to 130 susceptor. In various embodiments, susceptor 130 and/or lift pins 200 (or 300 of FIGS. 3-11) may be stationary while the other is moving. In various embodiments, susceptor 130 and/or lift pins 200 may be configured to move relative to the other.

In various embodiments, the reactor system may comprise a susceptor (e.g., susceptor 130) including three pin holes (e.g., pin holes 137) (or any suitable number of pin holes) with a corresponding lift pin (e.g., lift pin 300) disposed in each of the pin holes. Pin holes may be spaced in any suitable pattern on or throughout substrate support surface 135 (e.g., equidistantly in a perimeter on substrate support surface 135, in a pattern traversing substrate support surface 135, and/or the like). The lift pins may move in unison up and down relative to the susceptor (e.g., relative to the substrate support surface) to raise and lower the substrate (e.g., substrate 150). The substrate may be raised into a processing position (i.e., a raised position) (e.g., processing position 106 shown in FIG. 2B) within the reaction space (e.g., reaction space 112) and/or lowered into a loading position (i.e., a lower position) (e.g., loading position 103 shown in FIG. 2A), for example. In various embodiments, the lift pins may be moved while the susceptor remains stationary, or the lift pins remain stationary while the susceptor is moved, to raise and lower the substrate relative to the susceptor. In various embodiments, the lift pins and the susceptor may move to raise and lower the substrate relative to the susceptor.

In various embodiments, lift pins 200 (or 300 of FIGS. 3-11) may facilitate removal of substrate 150 from reaction chamber 110 that might otherwise stick to susceptor 130, because of, for example, static friction between substrate 150 and susceptor 130. Lift pins 200 (or 300 of FIGS. 3-11) may facilitate separation of substrate 150 from susceptor 130 by the lift pins 200 and/or susceptor 130 moving relative to the other.

In various embodiments, substrate 150 may be disposed directly on top of susceptor 130 (e.g., on substrate support surface 135 of susceptor 130) for processing. In various embodiments, a top surface of susceptor 130 may be disposed on the same plane as substrate support surface 135. In various embodiments, substrate support surface 135 may be recessed into susceptor 130 such that there is a recess in the top surface of susceptor 130. The recess comprising substrate support surface 135 may comprise a height such that at least a portion of the height of substrate 150 is disposed in the recess. The recess may comprise a height such that, when substrate 150 is disposed on substrate support surface 135 and within the recess, the top surface of substrate 150 is flush with the top surface of susceptor 130.

In various embodiments, for loading and/or unloading of substrate 150 from reaction chamber 110, substrate may be disposed on lift pins 200 (or 300 of FIGS. 3-11) (e.g., on pin top surface 315). Disposing substrate 130 on lift pins 200 (or 300 of FIGS. 3-11), may facilitate loading or unloading of substrate 150 from reaction chamber 110, for example, through opening 98 in chamber sidewall 111.

In various embodiments, once substrate 150 is disposed on lift pins 200, substrate 130 may move from loading position 103 to processing position 106, receiving substrate 150 during such movement. In such embodiments, the pin top end and/or the pin heads (e.g., pin head 320) of lift pins 200 may be received by pin holes 137 (pin hole 337 in FIG. 3), and therefore, substrate 150 may directly contact susceptor 130. In various embodiments, the pin heads of lift pins 200 may be supported by a portion of pin hole 337 and/or pin head hole 338 complementary to overhang 326 of pin head 320. Therefore, lift pins 200 may travel with susceptor 130 to processing position 106, lift pins 200 being disposed in pin holes 137 such that the pin top ends (e.g., pin top ends 310 of lift pins 300) are flush with and/or below substrate support surface 135.

In various embodiments, once substrate 150 is disposed on lift pins 200, lift pins 200 may move downward into susceptor 130, such that substrate 150 is received by susceptor 130 (i.e., such that substrate 150 rests on substrate support surface 135). In response, the pin top ends (e.g., pin top ends 310 of lift pins 300) may be flush with and/or below substrate support surface 135. Substrate 150 may be subsequently processed within the reaction chamber.

In various embodiments, one or more lift pins may comprise a channel (i.e., a void portion) disposed in the pin body along a length of the lift pin. The pin channel may span a length of the lift pin such that when the lift pin is disposed in the respective pin hole in the susceptor, both the reaction space and the lower chamber space of the reaction chamber may be in fluid communication with the pin channel. Therefore, the pin channel may allow fluid communication between the reaction space and the lower chamber space when the lift pin is disposed in its respective pin hole. In various embodiments, the pin channel may span linearly and parallel to an axis on which the pin body spans. In various embodiments, the pin channel may span between the pin top end and the pin bottom end in any suitable configuration (e.g., in a path that is non-linear, non-parallel to the spanning of the pin body, in a serpentine, helical, or any other desired configuration). In various embodiments, the pin channel may span far enough from the pin top end toward the pin bottom end such that when the lift pin is disposed in its respective pin hole in the susceptor, and a substrate is disposed on and in contact with the susceptor, the reaction space and the lower chamber space are in fluid communication via the pin channel. In various embodiments, the pin channel may span from the pin top end (e.g., pin top end 310) to the pin bottom end (e.g., pin bottom end 390) or somewhere between the pin top end and the pin bottom end.

In embodiments in which a lift pin comprises a pin head, and as depicted in FIGS. 3-11, pin channel 340 extends through pin head 320 to pin top end 310.

The pin channel may comprise any suitable configuration. For example, lift pin 300 may comprise pin channel 340 defined by a pin channel surface 342. In embodiments in which the pin channel is not fully enclosed within the pin body of the lift pin, such as pin channel 340 not being fully enclosed within pin body 350, the pin channel surface (e.g., pin channel surface 342) may not form an enclosed shape.

In various embodiments, pin outer surface 350 may define an enclosed cross-sectional shape of pin body 350, whether or not pin outer surface 370 actually forms an enclosed cross-sectional shape. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 3-11, pin body 350 defines a circular cross-sectional shape, but pin outer surface 370 does not actually form an enclosed circular cross-sectional shape because of pin channel 340. However, extrapolating pin outer surface 370 into the void in pin body 350 (i.e., pin channel 340) readily allows the determination that the cross-sectional shape of pin body 350 defined by pin outer surface 370 is circular. Therefore, in embodiments in which the pin channel is not enclosed within the pin body of the lift pin, such as pin channel 342 not being fully enclosed within pin body 350, the pin outer surface (pin outer surface 370) may define a cross-sectional shape of the pin body (e.g., geometric shape), such that the pin channel (e.g., pin channel 342) is a piece of the shape missing. As depicted in FIGS. 3-11, pin body 350 may be cylindrical with a cutout (pin channel 340), and may comprise a circular cross-sectional shape (extrapolated from the path of pin outer surface 370) with a cutout (pin channel 340), and pin channel 340 may be pie-slice-shaped. The pin body may comprise any suitable cross-sectional shape, and the pin channel may comprise any suitable cross-sectional shape (e.g., rectangular, square, triangular, circular, oval, and/or the like).

In various embodiments, the pin channel may be completely enclosed within the pin body. In such embodiments, the channel outer surface would form an enclosed shape. In such embodiments, the pin channel may comprise any cross-sectional suitable shape (e.g., rectangular, square, triangular, circular, oval, and/or the like).

In various embodiments, the pin channel may comprise any suitable portion of the pin body. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 3-11, pin channel 340 may comprise one-fourth of pin body 350 (or one-fourth of a cross-sectional shape of pin body 350). In various embodiment, the pin channel may comprise one-third, one-fifth, one-sixth, one-eighth, one-tenth, or one-half, or between one-sixth or one-eighth or one-tenth and one-half of the pin body. In various embodiments, a pin body may comprise multiple pin channels causing the reaction space and the lower chamber space to be in fluid communication when the lift pin is disposed in its respective pin hole in the susceptor. In various embodiments, the pin channel may comprise a shape enclosed by the pin body that comprises a concentric cross-sectional shape with the cross-sectional shape of pin body. In various embodiments, the pin channel may comprise a shape enclosed by the pin body disposed in any suitable position in the pin body.

Lift pin 300 may be comprised of any suitable material, for example, steel, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, ceramic materials (e.g., silicon carbide), and/or the like.

During substrate processing (e.g., during atomic layer deposition, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and/or the like), the substrate may bow upward (i.e., the outer edge(s) of the substrate may move away from the substrate support surface of the susceptor relative to the middle area of the substrate). This may cause greater deposition of material on the edges of the substrate relative to the middle of the substrate, for example, because the edges of the substrate may be closer to the fluid distribution system (e.g., a showerhead). However, uniform material distribution across the substrate surface may be desired. Also, the substrate bowing may cause unwanted material deposition on the underside of the substrate under the raised substrate edges.

In order to avoid the unwanted greater material accumulation on substrate edges and underside deposition caused by substrate bowing, the systems and methods discussed herein may be desirable for seating the substrate on the substrate support surface of the susceptor for substrate processing in such a way so as to counteract the substrate bowing. That is, the systems and methods herein may seat the substrate substantially flat on the substrate support surface of the susceptor such that the substrate edges are not bowed upward closer to the chemical distribution system and the substrate underside is not exposed to the reaction space (i.e., the substrate underside, including on the substrate edges, is resting against the substrate support surface of the susceptor).

With additional reference to FIG. 12, a method 1200 for processing a substrate in a reaction chamber is illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. It should also be appreciated that the embodiments of the disclosure may be utilized in a reaction chamber configured for a multitude of deposition processes, including but not limited to, ALD, CVD, metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), and physical vapor deposition (PVD). The embodiments of the disclosure may also be utilized in reaction chambers configured for processing a substrate with a reactive precursor, which may also include etch processes, such as, for example, reactive ion etching (RIE), inductively coupled plasma etching (ICP), and electron cyclotron resonance etching (ECR).

In various embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 2A-11, substrate 150 may be disposed in reaction chamber 110 (step 1202). In various embodiments, substrate 150 may be disposed directly on substrate support surface 135 of susceptor 130. In various embodiments, substrate 150 may be disposed on lift pins 200 (or 300 of FIGS. 3-11) protruding from substrate support surface 135 of susceptor 130. In such embodiments, lift pins 200 and/or susceptor 130 may be moved relative to the other such that pin top end 310 is flush with substrate support surface 135 of susceptor 130 or lower than substrate support surface 135 (i.e., pin top end 310 being disposed within susceptor 130) such that substrate 150 is disposed directly on, and in contact with, substrate support surface 135. In various embodiments, lift pins 200 may receive substrate 150, susceptor 130 may be moved upward while lift pins 200 remain stationary, such that lift pins 200 recess into susceptor 130 and pin holes 137, and susceptor 130 receives substrate 150 onto substrate support surface 135 and disposes susceptor 130 in processing position 106 in reaction space 112.

In various embodiments, substrate 150 may bow during processing, such that outer edges of substrate 150 (i.e., the portions of substrate 150 more proximate to chamber sidewall 111 when substrate 150 is disposed on susceptor 130) are more proximate a chemical distribution system (e.g., showerhead 180), from which material may be applied to substrate 150. Without being bound by theory, the bowing may be caused by compounds in deposited layers on substrate 150 contracting, thus pulling the sides of substrate 150 upward (toward showerhead 180). Therefore, to flatten substrate 150 before and/or during subsequent processing (e.g., deposition of an additional chemical layer(s)), it may be desirable to seat (e.g., flatten) substrate 150 on substrate support surface 135 of susceptor 130.

In various embodiments, a pressure differential may be created between reaction space 112 and lower chamber space 114 (step 1204). A vacuum source (e.g., vacuum source 92 and/or auxiliary pump 94, which may be an example of vacuum pump 28 in FIG. 1) may be in fluid communication with lower chamber space 114. The vacuum source may cause fluid flow out of lower chamber space 114 and out of reaction chamber 110, decreasing the pressure therein. The pressure in reaction space 112 may remain the same, or decrease at less of a rate than the pressure in lower chamber space 114, while the vacuum source is causing fluid flow out of lower chamber space 114.

Susceptor 130 may comprise at least one pin hole 137 traversing substrate 130 from substrate support surface 135 to susceptor bottom surface 136 (or at least a portion therebetween), each having a lift pin 200/300 disposed therein. One or more of the lift pins may comprise at least one pin channel 340 spanning a length of pin body 350. As discussed herein, pin channel 340 may span any suitable length of pin body 350 such that, when lift pin 300 is disposed in pin hole 137 of susceptor 130, and pin top end 310 is flush with or below substrate support surface 135, reaction space 112 and lower chamber space 114 may be in fluid communication through pin hole 137 and pin channel 340. For example, pin channel 340 may span from pin top end 310 to pin bottom end 390. As another example, pin channel 340 may span from pin top end 310 down a length of pin body 350 such that the length of pin body 350 comprising pin channel 340 is greater than the thickness of susceptor 130 (and any other component of reactor 100) between reaction space 112 and lower chamber space 114. As another example, pin channel 340 may span from pin top end 310 down a length of pin body 350 such that the length of pin body 350 comprising pin channel 340 is greater than the length of pin body 350 disposed in susceptor 130 (and any other component of reactor 100) between reaction space 112 and lower chamber space 114 when lift pin 300 is resting in its respective pin hole 337.

In response to creating the pressure differential between reaction space 112 and lower chamber space 114 (i.e., reaction space 112 having a high pressure than lower chamber space 114), fluid may flow from reaction space 112 to lower chamber space 114, for example, through the pin holes in susceptor 130 and through the pin channel(s) in the lift pins disposed in the pin holes (step 1206). For example, fluid may flow through pin hole 137 and through pin channel 340 from reaction space 112 to lower chamber space 114. Because substrate 150 may be disposed on substrate support surface 135 and over pin holes 137, the fluid flowing from reaction space 112 to lower chamber space 114 through pin holes 137 and pin channels 340 may apply a suction force on substrate 150 proximate the locations of pin holes 137. Such suction force may be toward substrate support surface 135 and lower chamber space 114. Therefore, the suction force applied to substrate 150 may flatten, or seat, substrate 150 onto substrate support surface 135 of susceptor 130 (step 1208). In various embodiments, pin holes 137 may be disposed proximate to outer edges of substrate 150 (those edges that may be prone to bowing) to pull down the outer edges of substrate 150 flat onto substrate support surface 135 of susceptor 130. Thus, the underside of substrate 150 no longer may be exposed to unwanted deposition of material being applied via, for example, showerhead 180, and the outer edges of substrate 150 may not be exposed to greater material deposition because of closer proximity to showerhead 180 relative to a middle portion of substrate 150.

In various embodiments, the suction force through pin hole 137 causes the pressure therein (e.g., including within a portion of pin hole 337 above pin top end 310 when the pin is at rest within pin hole 337), and a pressure under substrate 150, to be less than the pressure of reaction space 112. Accordingly, seating or flattening substrate 150 onto substrate support surface 135 may create at least a partial seal over pin holes 137, and between substrate 150 and substrate support surface 135, such that material applied during deposition cycles may not readily travel under substrate 150 (i.e., between substrate 150 and substrate support surface 135), restricting or preventing unwanted contamination of the underside of substrate 150 and of lower chamber space 114. Such a (partial) seal also prevents movement of substrate 150 on substrate support surface 135.

In various embodiments, the steps of method 1200 for seating or flattening substrate 150 on substrate support surface 135 (e.g., steps 1204-1208) may be applied throughout substrate processing, and/or at any suitable time and in any suitable manner. For example, the steps for seating substrate 150 on substrate support surface 135 may be performed continuously before, during, and/or between deposition cycles. As another example, the steps for seating substrate 150 on substrate support surface 135 may be performed before and/or during each deposition cycle (i.e., before, and/or throughout, each application of material by showerhead 180, with breaks between deposition cycles during drying/baking to form the resulting layer on substrate 150).

In various embodiments, deposition cycles may be performed on the substrate 150 until a desired chemical system of layers of desired thickness is disposed on substrate 150. In response, substrate 150 may be removed from reaction chamber 110. To do so, susceptor 130 and/or lift pins 200 may move relative to one another. For example, susceptor 130 may move downward in reaction chamber 110 relative to lift pins 200, and/or lift pins 200 may move upward relative to susceptor 130 in reaction chamber 110. Thus, substrate 150 may be elevated by lift pins 200 away from substrate support surface 135 of susceptor 130, which may facilitate substrate 150 removal from reaction chamber 110.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth herein, it should be appreciated that the disclosure is not so limited. For example, although reactor systems are described in connection with various specific configurations, the disclosure is not necessarily limited to these examples. Various modifications, variations, and enhancements of the system and method set forth herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various systems, components, and configurations, and other features, functions, acts, and/or properties disclosed herein, as well as any and all equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A reactor system, comprising: a reaction chamber enclosed by a chamber sidewall; a susceptor disposed in the reaction chamber, wherein the susceptor is disposed between a reaction space and a lower chamber space comprised in the reaction chamber, wherein the susceptor comprises a pin hole disposed through the susceptor such that the pin hole is in fluid communication with the reaction space and the lower chamber space, and such that the reaction space is in fluid communication with the lower chamber space; and a lift pin disposed in the pin hole, wherein the lift pin comprises a pin body, wherein the pin body comprises a pin channel, defined by a pin channel surface, disposed in the pin body such that the reaction space is in fluid communication with the lower chamber space when the lift pin is disposed in the pin hole.
 2. The reactor system of claim 1, wherein the lift pin is disposed such that a pin outer surface of the pin body is disposed adjacent to a pin hole surface defining the pin hole.
 3. The reactor system of claim 1, wherein the pin body comprises a cylindrical shape with a cutout comprising the pin channel, wherein the pin body further comprises a circular cross section with the cutout comprising the pin channel, wherein the pin channel comprises a pie-slice-shape channel in the circular cross section of the pin body.
 4. The reactor system of claim 1, wherein the pin channel is disposed within the pin body such that the pin channel surface forms an enclosed shape.
 5. The reactor system of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum source in fluid communication with the lower chamber space, wherein the vacuum source is in fluid communication with the reaction space of the reaction chamber through the pin channel of the lift pin.
 6. The reactor system of claim 1, wherein the lift pin comprises a pin head at a top end of the pin body, wherein the pin channel extends through the pin head, wherein the pin head is disposed at least partially in the pin hole of the susceptor, wherein the pin head forms at least a partial seal with the susceptor.
 7. The reactor system of claim 1, wherein the chamber sidewall is disposed proximate a susceptor outer side surface of the susceptor.
 8. The reactor system of claim 7, further comprising a space disposed between the chamber sidewall and the susceptor outer side surface such that the reaction space and the lower chamber space of the reaction chamber are in fluid communication via the space.
 9. The reactor system of claim 7, wherein fluid flow is restricted between the chamber sidewall and the susceptor outer side surface.
 10. The reactor system of claim 1, wherein the lift pin comprises a top end of the pin body, wherein the lift pin and the susceptor are configured to move relative to one another such that the top end of the lift pin body is able to protrude from a substrate support surface of the susceptor.
 11. A lift pin configured to be disposed in a susceptor comprised in a reactor system, comprising: a pin body defined by a pin outer surface, wherein the wherein the pin body comprises a pin channel, defined by a pin channel surface, extending a length of the pin body.
 12. The lift pin of claim 11, wherein the pin channel is disposed within the pin body such that the pin channel surface forms an enclosed shape.
 13. The lift pin of claim 11, wherein the pin channel spans linearly and parallel to an axis on which the pin body spans.
 14. The lift pin of claim 11, wherein the pin outer surface defines a cross-sectional shape comprising a geometric shape with a portion missing, wherein the pin channel is the portion missing.
 15. The lift pin of claim 11, further comprising a pin head at a top end of the pin body, wherein the pin channel extends through the pin head.
 16. A method, comprising: creating a pressure differential in a reaction chamber of a reactor between a reaction space of the reaction chamber and a lower chamber space of the reaction chamber, wherein the reaction space and the lower chamber space are separated by a susceptor disposed in the reaction chamber, wherein the forming the pressure differential causes a lower chamber space pressure to be lower than a reaction space pressure; and flowing a fluid to the lower chamber space through a pin hole disposed in the susceptor and spanning between the reaction space and the lower chamber space in response to the creating the pressure differential, wherein a lift pin is disposed in the pin hole, wherein the lift pin comprises a pin body, wherein the pin body comprises a pin channel disposed in the pin body such that the reaction space is in fluid communication with the lower chamber space via the pin channel when the lift pin is disposed in the pin hole.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein a substrate is disposed on a substrate support surface of the susceptor, wherein the substrate support surface is facing the reaction space, wherein the pin hole is disposed through the substrate support surface, wherein the method further comprises: creating a suction force on the substrate toward the substrate support surface in response to the creating the pressure differential and flowing the fluid through from the reaction space to the lower chamber space through the pin hole; and seating the substrate flat on the susceptor support surface in response to the creating the suction force on the substrate.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the creating the pressure differential is accomplished by a vacuum source fluidly coupled to the lower chamber space.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the pin channel is disposed within and completely enclosed by the pin body.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the pin body comprises a cross-sectional shape with a portion missing, wherein the pin channel is the portion missing. 